Crash of a Convair CV-580 in Tshikapa

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CRU
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Tshikapa – Mbuji-Mayi
MSN:
41
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the captain heard a noise and suspected a technical problem so he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and struck an embankment. All 14 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the crew initiated the takeoff in an up-slope configuration while the takeoffs at Tshikapa Airport are normally completed in a down-slope configuration. The runway is 1,000 metres long.

Crash of a Boeing 707-331C in Kananga

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
P4-OOO
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ostende – Kinshasa – Kananga
MSN:
19435
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown at Kananga Airport, the right main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear upon landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter 100 in Kahemba: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1996
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CXK
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kahemba - Kikwit
MSN:
74
YOM:
1967
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both pilots and four passengers were killed while 15 other occupants were injured.

Crash of a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou in Kalemie

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
9Q-CUB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
212
YOM:
1964
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a humanitarian flight when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff. Both pilots were injured.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD in Kinshasa: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UR-76539
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Athens
MSN:
00334 42234
YOM:
1983
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
2134
Aircraft flight cycles:
1358
Circumstances:
While taxiing backwards at Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the crew used thrust reversers and failed to extend the flaps prior to takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command started the rotation when the nose gear lifted off. Despite the aircraft failed to take off, the crew did not reject the takeoff procedure and continued. The aircraft adopted a high nose up attitude and a super critical angle of attack. It rolled for about 3,800 metres, overran, rolled for another 800 metres when it struck irregularities on the ground. On impact, the right wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants were killed. The aircraft was on its way to Athens, carrying a load consisting of engine and spare parts.
Probable cause:
The crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures and failed to extend flaps prior to takeoff. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Poor crew coordination,
- Misunderstanding by the crew about the aircraft configuration,
- The pilot-in-command failed to reject takeoff.
- Crew's fatigue,
- The aircraft was not equipped with an alarm in case of wrong flaps' position.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Kinshasa: 298 killed

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1996 at 1243 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-26222
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Kinshasa - Kahemba
MSN:
2301
YOM:
1989
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
298
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Kinshasa to Kahemba, carrying two passengers, four crew members and a load of food and basic necessities. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 204 km/h, the pilot-in-command pulled up the control column to start the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. The crew decided to abort the take off procedure but this decision was taken too late. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (the runway is 1,700 metres long), the aircraft overran, rolled for about 240 metres and came to rest in the district of Simbazikita, bursting into flames. A crew member was killed while five other occupants were injured. On ground, at least 297 people were killed while 253 others were injured, some seriously.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was unable to take off because its total weight at the time of the accident was well above the MTOW. Due to lack of evidences, investigations were unable to determine the exact value of the excess mass, probably between 2 and 7 tons. Nevertheless, the decision of the crew to abort the takeoff procedure was taken too late and the runway length was insufficient. It was also reported that the aircraft was operated by African Air and leased from Moscow Airways. The flight was operated illegally on behalf of Scibe-Airlift which was not concerned about such operation. The certificate of airworthiness expired last December and the aircraft was not authorized to fly.

Crash of an AMI Turbo DC-3T in Likwangbala: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ZS-LYW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
14357/25802
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in an humanitarian flight on behalf of Unicef. On approach to an airstrip somewhere near Likwangbala, the aircraft collided with trees and crashed. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Bunia

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-13340
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kinshasa – Bunia
MSN:
00 347 504
YOM:
1970
Location:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Bunia Airport, the crew started the braking procedures when animals came on runway. The captain decided to initiated a go-around procedures and increased power on all four engines. On his part, the instructor decided to continue the landing procedure and put the engine to idle. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and came to rest 400 metres further, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Poor approach and landing planning on part of the crew. Poor crew coordination after landing.

Crash of a Lockheed L-188A Electra in Kinshasa

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
9Q-CDG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Matadi - Kinshasa
MSN:
1119
YOM:
1960
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Kinshasa-N'Djili Airport, the four engine aircraft was too low and descending at an insufficient speed when it collided with power cables, stalled and crashed in an open field. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-32 in Kinshasa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1995
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UR-48074
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3010
YOM:
1992
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a humanitarian flight on behalf of the United Nations and was carrying 28 passengers, 4 crew members and various goods. On short final, at low height, the aircraft nosed down and struck the ground few metres short of runway threshold. Out of control, the aircraft came to rest few dozen metres further. Fifteen occupants were injured, 16 others escaped uninjured and one passenger died.
Probable cause:
It was determined that on final approach, the attachments used to fix the cargo failed, causing the load to move forward and the aircraft to nose down.